Lord Sugar's right hand man on The Apprentice, Nick Hewer, talks about money.

Nick Hewer, 67, is best known for his role as Lord Alan Sugar's right-hand man in the Apprentice. Nick divides his time between homes in Northamptonshire and the South West of France, where he lives with his partner Catherine.

How did your childhood experience influence your attitude to money?

I grew up in a fairly privileged family. I lived in a fairly big house and had people who worked for the family – such as a full-time gardener and a yard man, who was responsible for washing the cars and cleaning the shoes – but as there were five children, there wasn't really very much money at all. I can't remember ever getting any pocket money. But as children, we used to collect waste paper and sell it to a rag and bone man to get us by. We also sold apples from the orchard for an extra bit of money.

What was your first job?

My first job was a summer holiday job that my father arranged for me painting radiators in a school. I can still smell the paint and I can still taste the boredom. It was horrible.

The first financial transaction I deeply regretted was selling a Victorian music box given to me by my great-grandmother. I sold it in order to fund a flight to New York when I was 21. While the trip was a lot of fun, I had sold a family heirloom to pay for it, and of course, one can never get something like that back.

Has there ever been a time in your life when you've been in debt or short of cash?

Of course. I was always short of cash right up until my two children left university. I put both of them through the private education school system, and as any parent who has done the same will know, while the children are at school, money can be very tight.

What's the most lucrative work you have ever done?

When I was running my PR company, I took the responsibility of employing people very seriously. So I was very careful as not to plunder money myself so I could always ensure I could keep employing people when times were hard. It was only when I sold the company back in 1998 that I was able to relax and enjoy it.

What is your financial priority?

Well, I have helped my children quite sufficiently throughout their lives, with funding their education and helping towards deposits for houses. But now my security in old age is a priority. I know it sounds rather boring, but I'm afraid it is something we all must think about.

Is there anything that you hate about dealing with money?

I am far less adventurous when it comes to money than my partner Catherine. She is very entrepreneurial, although we have very separate finances. She is always complaining that I lack enterprise in investment terms. Although, to be honest, she is much more successful.

Would you say you're cautious with money or liberal with it?

I'm cautious with money generally, but I am rather impulsive as a purchaser. I will spend ridiculous amounts of money when I spot something I'm interested in and I will make a very fast decision. I'm not talking about buying sky-scrappers, as I am not in the kind of league, but it could be about buying a piece of art or an expensive pair of shoes or going on holiday.

Does having money make you happier?

Yes, of course it does. Having money releases you, as it relieves you of worries that are ever present if you haven't got any.

Has the recession affected you?

No, but mainly because I currently don't work on anything other than The Apprentice. My income is derived from the show and my investments, which fortunately have held up very well thanks to a very prudent financial adviser.

What has been your best buy?

The purchase that has given me the greatest satisfaction would be my house in France because it is a place of great tranquillity and its very beautiful. I enjoy it enormously.

What has been your greatest extravagance?

I bought a Bristol 411 Mach 5. It was the most beautiful Bristol ever built, but it cost me about £150 a week in petrol and it never went anywhere.

It was the most extravagant, ridiculous car ever made. It had a 6.9L Chrysler engine and I think it did 6 miles to the gallon. But although, I loved it, I had to get rid of it.

How do you prefer to pay – by cash, card or cheque?

I have credit cards, but I don't use them. I just don't like credit cards – their rate of interest is just outrageous. So I always use debit cards and occasionally cheques – sometimes only a cheque will do.

How much money do you have in your wallet?

I always try to have between £50 and £100 in cash on me, just for little things like cabs and tube fare.

Do you bank online?

I find banking on line is the easiest way to keep track of things. I travel a lot, so you can do just whatever you want where ever you are.

Do you have a pension?

Yes, I have a fund that I have invested my pension into and that generates me an income.

Have you invested in shares?

Not currently. At one time in my life I was a limited player and just kept things simple. Although, the pension fund I have is invested, that is as far as it goes really.

Working with Lord Alan Sugar for so long, have you picked up any financial or business tips from him over the years?

As an observer of Lord Sugar, I have learned that he doesn't care for debt and he approaches business in a very straight forward way and the way he deals with people. I only wish I had his intuition.

Nick recently travelled to Sierra Leone as a Patron of the UK-based charity Hope and Homes for Children. To help transform a child's life visit www.hopeandhomes.org.